Welcome Back to School!

I would like to welcome you and your family to a brand-new school year filled with opportunities and possibilities.

Academic success for every student is the top goal of our school system, and we are pleased that every Chesterfield school is again fully accredited.

Our teachers, staff members and community partners worked hard to prepare for the first day of school. When our 59,000 students entered their classrooms on Sept. 7, they were surrounded by positive energy and support. Our expectations for our children, our schools and our community are high.

Success depends on effort, and I am confident this will be a successful year if we all work together and live our core values of respect, responsibility, honesty and accountability.

Thank you for your support — have a terrific school year!

Thank you to our teachers!

Today is the first official workday for Chesterfield County Public Schools teachers and for countless teachers throughout the country. In my opinion, teaching is the most noble of professions. Professionals throughout our community deserve our praise and appreciation for their contributions in making the world a better place: police and law enforcement officers, doctors, firefighters, nurses, engineers, craftsmen, judges, therapists, ministers, managers, etc. But they all have one thing in common: All of their lives were touched by a teacher.

As our teachers ready their classrooms to receive more than 59,000 students next Tuesday, I join thousands of parents in Chesterfield County in saying thank you for being a teacher.

Here is a “Tribute to a Teacher”:

We held their hands the first day of school.
Our hearts were filled with pride.
There was an aura of fear and apprehension
As we stood close to their side.
We deposited our children at your door,
Our most precious and prized possessions.
We trusted that you would give them more
Than Reading and Writing lessons.
Our unspoken words were, give them self worth.
They are little children, respect their rights.
Teach them with love and remember compassion.
Use a firm hand to break up their fights.
As the years went by, you did us proud
With your guiding hand and understanding smile.
You gave much more than we expected.
That was your way, your undeniable style.
What higher tribute can we pay a teacher?
To what greater heights can he ascend?
Than to have his students praise his work,
And to say "He is my friend."
- by Myrna Beth Lambert